Christmas Markets in Italy: Everything We Ate, Drank, and Loved

If you’re thinking about visiting Christmas markets in Italy, let us tell you from experience, this is one of the most festive and cozy ways to explore northern Italy in December. 

We spent three days hopping between three different markets in Verona, Trento, and Bolzano, sipping vin brulé, trying regional treats, and soaking in the holiday vibes. One market surprised us and one completely stole the show.

Along the way, we learned a ton about the history of these markets, what to eat and drink, and what to expect when visiting during the holiday season. This guide blends our real experience with helpful tips so you can plan your own Christmas market trip with confidence.

Short on Time? Here are the key takeaways:

• We visited three Christmas markets in Italy, starting in Verona, then Trento, and finishing in Bolzano, and each one had a completely different vibe.
• Verona was the smallest and least festive for us, while Trento surprised us with great food, strong Alpine energy, and a much more organized layout.
• Bolzano was the clear winner with the most traditional atmosphere, the best decorations, and the widest variety of drinks and German-influenced food.
• Markets close early in Italy, usually around 7 or 8 pm, so arriving before sunset gives you the most time to eat, drink, and explore.
• We rented a car in Bologna for this trip and found it incredibly easy for hopping between markets, plus all of our stays were walkable to the main piazzas.

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Renting a Car for Christmas Market Hopping

We started this trip from Bologna and rented a car to make visiting multiple Christmas markets in Italy easy and flexible. Northern Italy in December can be cold, but the highways are well-maintained and the distances between cities are short. 

Driving gave us the freedom to arrive early, stay as long as we wanted, and hop between towns without depending on train schedules.

If you want to road trip through Italy’s Christmas markets, we recommend checking prices on DiscoverCars. We consistently find some of the best rental rates there, and pick up and returns in major Italian cities are straightforward. A small car is perfect for winter travel, especially when navigating historic centers with tight parking.

Verona Christmas Market

History of the Market

The Verona Christmas market is one of the newer ones in northern Italy. It only started in 2007, which makes it the baby of the bunch compared to other historic Christmas markets in Italy. Verona partners with a German-style market group for its stalls, but it still has a more modern feel.

How to Get There

Verona’s center is very walkable. We stayed across the river and crossed the bridge into town, which took about 10 minutes. The market has multiple areas, so give yourself time to wander. 

To make things easier for your trip, here are the exact market locations on Google Maps:

• Main Market near Verona Arena
• Smaller Market in Piazza delle Erbe

Note: the city recently moved the main market area, so double-check the official Verona tourism website for updated locations.

What We Ate and Drank

Our first mission was finding vin brulé, Italy’s version of mulled wine. It was piping hot and took forever to cool down, but it warmed us right up. 

We also tried frittelle, a fried dough patty covered in sugar. No fillings, just pure sugary goodness. It was delicious, but between the cold air and sugar high, we definitely needed real food afterward.

Vibes

Real talk: Verona’s Christmas market left us a bit underwhelmed. The town itself looked magical at night with its lights and decorations, but the main market felt more like a small fair than a true Christmas market. Fewer savory options, limited mulled wine stalls, and an early closing time meant we had to pivot to a grocery store dinner.

It wasn’t bad, it just didn’t deliver as much holiday spirit as we expected. 

We personally enjoyed the market in Piazza delle Erbe more and gave more of a Christmas market vibe, but it was a bit smaller with fewer stalls. If you’re visiting Verona for sightseeing, it is worth stopping by, but as a standalone Christmas market, it fell to the bottom of our list.

Where We Stayed in Verona

We stayed at Residenza Roccamaggiore, which put us within easy walking distance of the center. It was a quiet and comfortable spot, great for exploring Verona without needing a car in the historic core.

Trento Christmas Market

History of the Market

Trento’s Christmas market began in 1993 and has grown into one of the most loved Christmas markets in Italy. The city even earned the nickname “City of Christmas” thanks to its incredible lights, festive atmosphere, and multiple market zones spread around the center.

How to Get There

Trento is well connected by train, and once you arrive, the center is small and walkable. You can easily explore multiple market areas without needing transportation. Parking is also available around the edges of town if you’re driving, but note, they are expensive and limited.

To make things easier for your trip, here are the exact market locations on Google Maps:

• Piazza della Mostra
• Piazza de Fiera
• Piazza del Duomo di Trento
• Piazza Dante – Kid’s market

What We Ate and Drank

This is where the real fun began.

• Bombardino – a warm drink made with egg liqueur, brandy, and a mountain of whipped cream. It was decadent, boozy, and perfect for cold Alpine evenings.
• Apple cinnamon hot drink from a local distillery – sweet, spiced, and the ideal hand warmer.
• Tortel di Patate with speck – basically a giant potato pancake stuffed with salty cured meat. It tasted like a taco made out of a hash brown and might have been one of our favorite bites from the entire trip.
• Giant pretzel because sometimes you just need a pretzel bigger than your face.
• Vin brulé served in cute souvenir mugs with refundable deposits.

Vibes

Trento blew Verona out of the water. There were signs, maps, well-organized stalls, and a stronger Christmas atmosphere. There is a Christmas train that you can ride that connects you to different points throughout the town (though we just walked). 

The largest traditional market is in the Piazza de Fiera, which is where we found the tortel di patate and the best vendors / food stalls. This place was huge and packed with vendors, food options, hot boozy drinks and a lot of people. 

The smaller market at Piazza della Mostra had less options, but you couldn’t beat the backdrop against the castle. This one was our favorite since it had less crowds and was literally 2 minutes from our apartment. 

The Piazza Dante was purely a kids market with rides and a petting zoo. We didn’t stay very long since it was family-focused. 

The Alpine influence was noticeable but still distinctly Italian. It felt festive, charming, and easy to navigate without the massive crowds we found at our next stop in Bolzano.

If you want a market that balances German-influenced food with Italian traditions, Trento is a top pick.

Where We Stayed in Trento

We booked an apartment through Booking called buonconsiglio 199. The flat was centrally located, easy to walk to all the different market areas, and convenient for parking. There are plenty of similar options available in the historic center if you want quick access to the festivities.

Something of note, Trento is surrounded by hills so be sure to do a quick Google Maps street view search of your accommodation before booking – otherwise, you might unexpectedly be walking uphill. 

Bolzano Christmas Market

History of the Market

Bolzano’s Christmas market is one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in Italy. It began in 1991 and is known for its strong Germanic influence. In fact, around 25 percent of the population still speaks German as their first language, and you’ll hear and see both languages everywhere you go. Signs, menus, and traditions all reflect this cultural blend.

How to Get There

Bolzano is easy to reach by train, and the market is a short walk from the station. Driving is possible but expect heavier crowds and more limited parking, especially on weekends.

To make things easier for your trip, here are the exact market locations on Google Maps:

• Piazza Walter
• Ginkgo Biloba
• Parco dei Cappuccini

What We Ate and Drank

Bolzano had the widest selection of food and drink options, hands down.

• Beer for just 3 euros a pour
• Hot beer punch which sounded questionable but tasted surprisingly fruity and tea-like
• Cheese sandwich made with melted raclette cheese pressed between warm bread. We waited 30 minutes for this and would do it again in a heartbeat (just get your drink to keep you busy while you wait)
• Glühwein including Glühwein mit Schuss, which adds amaretto or rum
• Apple juice with rum which tasted like cozy winter in a cup
• Regional sparkling wine which was crisp, dry, and a welcome break from hot drinks
• Strudel to take home for breakfast

Vibes

Bolzano felt like the most Christmas-y of all the markets we visited. It was also the most crowded, but the variety of stalls, food, drinks, and decorations made up for it. If you want the full German-style Christmas experience without leaving Italy, this is the place.

It had charm, tradition, great food, and a festive energy that made the cold worth it.

The main market is in Piazza Walter and this is where we spent most of our time. It will be crowded, but you can see live performers, puppet shows and just take in the all the Christmas magic here. 

Directly next to that market is Ginkgo Biloba. This spot had a few stalls and food options. I wanted to mention it because the stalls here seemed to be easier to get to with less people. 

Parco dei Cappuccini was the second market we visited and it’s much smaller, but had a beer garden with great options for food and booze. The street just outside of it is lined with vendors and some food options as well. Inside the park, there was donkey riding for kids, but that was the extent of kid activities we saw offered. 

Where We Stayed in Bolzano

We stayed at Bolzano Rooms, which was, surprisingly, our first time ever staying somewhere with a shared bathroom. Also surprisingly, it worked out perfectly. 

The bathroom was always available when we needed it, everything was clean, and the location could not have been more walkable. If you want something budget-friendly in the center, this is a great option.

How the Mug Deposit Works at Christmas Markets in Italy

One thing we learned quickly while visiting Christmas markets in Italy is that most places use a mug deposit system. Instead of serving vin brulé or hot drinks in disposable cups, many stalls give you a reusable ceramic or glass mug. When you order, you pay a small deposit fee, usually around 5 euros.

Here’s how it works:

• You order your drink and pay for the drink plus the deposit.
• You enjoy your vin brulé, bombardino, apple cinnamon drink, or whatever festive option you choose.
• When you’re done, you can return the mug to the same stall to get your deposit back. Depending on the market, you might be able to take it back to any drink stall, but be sure to ask when you get it. 
• Or, you can keep the mug as a souvenir, which is exactly what we did. They make great travel keepsakes and each city has its own design.

We found this system in Trento and Bolzano, and it made the whole experience feel a bit more charming and sustainable. Just keep in mind that if you’re market hopping and plan to keep multiple mugs, they do start to add up in your bag pretty quickly.

Watch Our Christmas Markets in Italy Video

We documented our entire experience in a full YouTube video, including everything we ate, drank, and loved. If you want the real vibe of each market, this video brings it to life.

FAQ About Christmas Markets in Italy

When do Christmas markets in Italy start and end?
Most markets open in mid- or late-November and run through early January. Dates vary by city, so always double-check before planning your trip.

Are Italian Christmas markets expensive?
Food and drinks range from 3 to 10 euros depending on the region. Beer was the cheapest option for us, while specialty hot drinks and hearty food cost a bit more.

Do you need cash?
Most stalls accept cards, but having a small amount of cash helps, especially for refundable mug deposits.

Which Christmas market in Italy is the best?
For us, Bolzano wins for atmosphere and variety. Trento is a strong second if you want a balanced and festive vibe. Verona is best as an add-on if you’re already in the area.

Is vin brulé the same as mulled wine?
Yes. Vin brulé is simply the Italian version of mulled wine, usually made with local spices and red wine.

Are the markets kid-friendly?
Absolutely. You will see families everywhere, and many markets have kid-focused stalls or small rides.

What should you wear?
Layers are key. Northern Italy in December can be extremely cold, especially after sunset. Gloves, hat, scarf, and warm boots are your best friends. We also had hand warmers for Bolzano and were grateful.

Do the markets stay open late?
Italian Christmas markets close much earlier than those in other European countries. Many food stalls shut down around 7 or 8 pm, so plan to arrive earlier in the day.

Final Thoughts

Exploring Christmas markets in Italy over three days gave us such a fun seasonal look at northern Italy. Each market had its own personality, from Verona’s fair-like atmosphere, to Trento’s festive Alpine energy, to Bolzano’s full-blown German-style Christmas charm.

If you want to plan a Christmas market trip of your own, be sure to arrive early, bundle up, and come hungry. And if you want more Italy travel ideas, wine region itineraries, and booze-forward experiences, check out our other Italy guides and our YouTube channel for more adventures.

Want more? Browse all our Italy guides, wine region itineraries, and booze-forward travel tips to help you sip your way through the country:

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• Barolo Wine Tasting in Piedmont, La Morra
• A Weekend In Venice, Italy
• The Ultimate Guide to Train Travel in Italy